SPORTS EDUCATOR LINDA BUNKER HONORED IN SURPRISE TRIBUTE

UNSOLICITED CHAIR ESTABLISHED TO REFLECT
U.VA. PROFESSOR'S CONTRIBUTIONS

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., June 21 -- The Linda K. Bunker
Professorship at the University of Virginia's Curry School of
Education has been established in honor of the longtime faculty member
and nationally known sports educator.  Deborah Slaner Larkin, a fellow
researcher on gender issues in education and sports, funded the chair
this spring in a surprise tribute to her friend and colleague's
courage, personal and professional leadership and career achievements
in the field of health and physical education. 
	"Perhaps there have been questions as to why someone would
give an unsolicited chair to the University," said Larkin, who has no
ties to U.Va.  "I work with Linda in the women's sports world, where
she is highly regarded and respected as one of the foremost sports
psychologists ever. She's one of the few who can maneuver in academia,
in girl-serving organizations, corporate structures and government
while maintaining her effectiveness and integrity.  We need to have
more chairs and honors bestowed to women so that the next generations
see what we have done and aspire to do the same."
	Bunker, associate dean of graduate studies and admissions at
the Curry School, has dedicated her career to promoting the benefits
of athletics to women and emphasizing the role of sports and fitness
in building leadership skills in girls and women.  Author or co-author
of 14 how-to-succeed-in-sports books, she is an elected member of the
American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Fitness, the most
prestigious recognition a scholar in this field can receive. 
	Bunker's accomplishments have been acknowledged near and far.
In recognition of her service to the community, she has been honored
with the University's Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in addition to
the Thomas Jefferson Award, U.Va.'s highest accolade.  She has also
received awards from the Women's Sports Foundation and the National
Association of Girls and Women in Sports.  In 1996, she was inducted
into the Women's Sports Hall of Fame.
	Larkin, a resident of Pelham, N. Y., shares Bunker's devotion
to educational policy and gender issues in education and sports.  She
is a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
and project director for national research studies focusing on girls.
Bunker helped write and edit a landmark study for the President's
Council under Larkin's direction.
	Through the Federation Education Guidance Service, Larkin is
involved in a project to promote the well-being of girls and young
women through physical activity.  She serves on numerous boards
including the National Women's Law Center and acts as a marketing
consultant to several non-profit organizations, including the Women's
Basketball Coaching Association, Professional Figure Skating Coaches
Association and Women's Sports Foundation.
	The Linda K. Bunker Professorship supports the work of a
scholar who advances educational equity and leadership opportunities. 
	The first chairholder will be Annette Gibbs, professor of
educational leadership and policy studies and director of the Center
for the Study of Higher Education at the Curry School. 
###
June 20, 1997
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